Thursday, September 20, 2012

Everyday Inspiration..............

I am somewhat of a compulsive buyer of books. I believe in keeping the "well" full in order to continue creating, and the written words and images in many of the books I buy inspire and excite me.

I discovered a book a couple of weeks ago that has been out for a few years. "A Year of Mornings" is a collaboration between two photographers who live on opposites sides of the country. One in Portland Oregon, the other in Portland Maine.

Each one began searching out and recording the beauty and simplicity they found highlighted by the soft quality of morning light. Before the book, they created a blog where others could come to soak up the quiet and be inspired to also slow down and be present.

Since both of these books are brand new (to me) and just arrived, I am not going to attempt to give a review or synopsis. I just want to share my excitement at realizing the power photography has to shape our everyday lives, and how wonderful it is that there is almost a sort of "movement" out there celebrating this fact!

Most of you know that this has become a theme of many of my blog posts and the reason I am so passionate and grateful for my own "Project 365".

The following image came from one of those "moments" where I simply stopped to notice light, lines, curves and the color of the curtains in my newly painted and furnished son's guest room.

As with most of my iPhone images, I first tuned it up in "Snapseed" Then I believe (but am not sure) I created the tone in "Vintique" and the softness in "FocalLab". ( I am going to try to figure out a way to record my work flow with the apps in my iPhone. Until I do, you will probably read the phrases "I believe", "I think" and "not positive" for a little while longer.)

I was reminded just the other day that there are still people that look down on photography and may not even consider it art. I don't really care. Photography has always served the purpose of recording life events and capturing the essence of the world around us, but it is also a form of self expression.

The explosion of digital and now phone photography, has opened this up to so many more people, which I believe has the potential and power to make the world a better place. Imagine millions of people slowing down and noticing beauty........................ Doesn't get much better than that!